A fit and refocused women's track team will open its outdoor season at 1:30 today in the Spiked Shoe Invitational at the Nittany Lion Track. The only event will be the 10,000 meters and though the Lady Lions will be the sole competitors, the distance runners will be eligible to qualify for ECACs and NCAAs in this event.

Though runners used to be able to qualify for the 10,000 meters in a roadrace, runners now have to qualify on a track, assistant coach Jeri Daniels said. She hopes that all the distance runners will qualify for the ECACs in the 10,000 meters today so that they can concentrate on qualifying in other events throughout the rest of the season.

After placing a disappointing fifth at the indoor ECAC championships two weeks ago, the Lady Lions are even more inspired to attain their goal of winning their second straight outdoor title this season.

"We just had a team meeting and refocused our goals. Specifically, we want to win ECACs and qualify as many people for nationals as possible," Coach Teri Jordan said. "We're very fit and very excited."

She explained that the team members have been inspired to do well this outdoor season by several factors: some want to avenge the loss at indoor ECACs, seniors want to go out on top, and some are looking to qualify for NCAAs.

The outdoor season brings not only refreshed attitudes but also new events. Several field events are particular to the outdoor season such as the javelin, discus and hammer. Freshman Jen Crouch, a national caliber high school javelin thrower, is expected to contribute significantly in that event.

The 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 10,000 meters and heptathlon are also competed only outside.

Jordan also said that the team will be revitalized by the return of some who have been injured, such as sophomore sprinter Jackie Bown, who pulled a hamstring at ECACs.

The team's first meet that the whole team will participate in is the Pennsylvania Invitational Relays next Friday.